Logitech will pull a Nintendo — only European mice will come with replaceable batteries
Logitech will follow Nintendo's lead by offering user-replaceable batteries only in European versions of its wireless mice, rather than rolling the feature out globally, according to the company's new gaming boss Robin Piispanen. The move comes as EU law will require user-replaceable batteries in devices from February 2027, but Logitech has decided the rest of the world will keep the current non-removable design, arguing that most customers simply won't bother swapping batteries themselves. The decision highlights tensions within the right-to-repair movement, as manufacturers weigh legal obligations against cost, weight and safety concerns.
Piispanen told The Verge that Logitech's typical soft-pack lithium-ion batteries are lightweight but unsafe for average users to replace themselves, whereas European models will use sturdier hard-pack batteries alongside certified replacement parts sold by Logitech. He said the company's internal forecasts suggest few people would actually replace batteries in cheaper products such as $50-$100 mice, unlike costlier devices like laptops or phones. When pressed on why Logitech doesn't also sell commonly worn parts, such as grip pads or mouse switches, he indicated the company remains reluctant to trust consumers with more extensive DIY repairs.
In short
- Logitech will sell replaceable-battery mice only in Europe, not globally.
- EU law mandates user-replaceable batteries in devices from February 2027.
- Boss says few buyers would bother replacing batteries in cheaper mice.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Logitech's approach reflects legitimate practical constraints: consumer-grade lithium-ion batteries present genuine safety risks if mishandled, and the company's research indicates most customers won't actually replace batteries in inexpensive devices, making global compliance a costly engineering shift that benefits few. Regional compliance allows manufacturers to tailor solutions to local markets and regulations rather than imposing unnecessary costs on consumers who haven't demanded the feature.
The case against
The decision undermines right-to-repair principles and appears inconsistent: if European consumers can safely replace batteries under Logitech's framework, the safety argument for withholding this option elsewhere rings hollow. The firm's assumption that customers won't use the feature is self-fulfilling if the company never globally offers it or invests in user-friendly systems, and permitting manufacturers to avoid sustainable practices in unregulated markets simply exploits regulatory gaps rather than respecting consumer choice and environmental responsibility.
Explained simply
The right-to-repair movement argues that consumers should be able to fix or replace broken parts in products they own rather than discarding entire devices. The European Union is now requiring this principle be applied to batteries, with new rules coming into force in February 2027 that will oblige manufacturers to make batteries removable in small electronic devices like mice and keyboards. The goal is to reduce electronic waste and lower the lifetime cost of ownership for consumers.
Electronics manufacturers have traditionally built batteries into devices because non-removable designs allow products to be lighter, thinner and more compact. However, companies argue that letting consumers replace batteries themselves creates safety risks, particularly with lithium-ion batteries which can overheat or catch fire if damaged or installed incorrectly. These safety concerns are central to ongoing disagreements about how the right-to-repair principle should be applied in practice.
Some manufacturers are taking a regional approach to the EU battery regulations rather than redesigning products globally. They offer replaceable batteries only in European markets where legally required, whilst maintaining existing designs in other regions. This highlights a tension within the right-to-repair debate: whether companies should exceed minimum legal requirements and invest in consumer repairs for all markets.
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